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How To Finally Start Meditating (Or Just Learn More About It)

July 16, 2015

It doesn’t so much matter where you start, just that you start somewhere. Pick whatever learning tool best suits you! And remember, relaxation is not the only benefit. Meditation has been proven to increase grey matter in the brain (the stuff you need for learning and cognition).

In-Person Meditation Groups/Classes in NYC

Shambhala Center of NYC (also has podcasts on their website)
Dharma Punx (also has podcasts on their website)
Kadampa Meditation Center

Meditation Apps
iSleep Easy– Apple OS, click here for Android
Guided Mind– Apple OS
Simply Being– Apple OS, click here for Android

Books
Anything By Author and Buddhist Nun Pema Chodron
The Miracle of Mindfulness: Thich Nhat Hanh
Turning the Mind Into An Ally: Sakyong Mipham
Natural Wakefulness: Gaylon Ferguson

Interactive/Historical
Rubin Museum

Videos

Relaxation Response Video: Massachusetts General Hospital Benson-Henry Institute For Mind Body Medicine

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Acupuncture For Running Injuries

July 11, 2015

I was the kid who couldn’t run a mile in gym class. Remember the fitness awards in elementary school? You had to reach a certain goal in tests like the v-sit, pull ups, sit ups, and of course, the dreaded mile. My 13 minute mile time always held me back from getting an award, so from elementary school until my early 30’s, I pretty much despised running. However just a few years ago, my boyfriend started to drag me out for mile runs. It was torture, but my endurance gradually improved. I’m still a novice, but now run about 12 miles a week and absolutely LOVE it! Nothing gives me more energy, and it’s a great way to spend more time outside.

Although I am relatively new to running, I have been working with runners my entire acupuncture career. I now get why runners are absolutely hell-bent on returning from an injury quickly- it’s a totally addictive sport! Acupuncture is fantastic for treating a multitude of running injuries, ranging from plantar fasciitis to runner’s knee to IT Band pain and tightness.

These are the most common issues I treat for runners:  Read more

While You’re In The Neighborhood…

June 17, 2015

Having just moved my office to midtown in December, I’ve been slowly exploring the new neighborhood and am amazed at the history nearby! Bryant Park, The New York Public Library main branch and Grand Central Terminal are all just a stone’s throw from my acupuncture office. I feel so lucky to be close to these New York City landmarks, and they each have an incredible array of events and activities to offer to locals and visitors. Read more

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You’re An Adult. Why Is Your Skin Still Breaking Out?

June 14, 2015

I’m an adult. Why is my skin still breaking out? I hear this so often from my patients and I totally get the frustration. Growing up, I was a regular at the dermatologist’s office. As I entered high school, my painful, cystic acne had become severe- all over my chest, back, face, even my upper arms, to the point where I was embarrassed to wear sleeveless tops in the summer. It made an already awkward phase of life even harder. But when you have acne as an adult (either for the first time or continuing from your teenage years), you can feel even more self-conscious because it feels like you are the only one still having this problem. Read more

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Natural Treatment for Headaches and Migraines

May 27, 2015

I remember the first time I had a migraine. It was a typical, sunny and humid 95 degree summer day in Virginia, and I had just driven to work to start my high school job at a pharmacy. As I got out of the car, all of a sudden I realized that I was seeing stars, but only out of one eye. As I started my work day, the vision disturbance got worse and worse, until only my peripheral vision was left. My head hurt slightly, but this definitely felt different from any headache I’d had before. The pharmacist at my job advised me to have a cup of coffee- she said caffeine was good for a migraine. It clicked: “Ah, so this is a migraine!” Gradually my vision improved and I could see again.

As someone who has experienced years of chronic tension headaches, and occasional migraines, I can tell you that I understand the feelings of frustration and fatigue that come along with constant pain. Like many people, I eventually resigned myself to thinking this daily pain was the new normal, and I didn’t notice it that much after a while. However while I was in acupuncture school, I decided to try treatments in the student clinic and see what might happen. Just a few acupuncture treatments completely got rid of my daily tension headaches, and greatly reduced my migraines. Now that I have been practicing acupuncture for 10 years, I can tell you that my experience was not unusual- acupuncture is enormously helpful to my patients with headaches and migraines and I can’t recall a patient who didn’t experience at least some reduction in pain. Read more